Dave Pelz on Effective Proportional Practice Principals in Golf

If you are aspiring to improve in golf the information you receive, then how you interpret and practice that information is largely going to determine your rate of development. Over the years effective practice procedures is something that I have spent a lot of time researching and thinking about. The amount of time you can dedicate to practice is certainly important but how you practice is of much more significance. 

There are very few that have put more effort into understanding this game more than Dave Pelz and his short game books are a must for all avid golfers. Pelz talks about practising proportionally to the shots importance in a round. His work has shown that certain shot distances during a round occur much more often than others and how some shot distances have a greater effect on our ultimate score. In future articles I will go into a lot more depth on this subject to what I believe is the best practise mix but for today I will introduce you lightly to the subject.

Dave Pelzs recommendations:

1. Short Game (100 yards and In) 30% of time 

Start with a fifteen yard pitch shot, then wedge shots from twenty to eighty yards followed by chipping from the fringe and finally bunker Play.

2. 30% Putting

Divide evenly between stroke mechanics, distance control and green reading.

3. 30% Power Game

Dave Pelz has focused on coaching the short game and so has given no recommendation in this area. This is something that I will cover in a future blog.

4. 5% Course Management, 5% Mental Game

Pelz believes you should always practice skills which have most effect on score first. He would recommend to start with short game followed by putting, the long game, finally psychology and course management last. 

Each area is be broken up and practised in order of importance. I believe in proportional practice but from the same extent every players optimal learning mix will vary. I think Pelz recommendations is a good starting point, it is then down to the player and coach to find what is best for the individual. I have seen huge gains in using very different practice mixes but this doesn't devalue the point Pelz made.

Thanks for Reading

Matt